Mastering the Future with 'Going to'

Welcome to your guide on using the future tense with 'going to'! This article is designed for English learners at the A1-A2 level. Understanding how to express future plans and intentions is essential for effective communication. Let's dive into the rules, examples, and tips to help you master this important aspect of English grammar!

What is 'Going to'?

The phrase 'going to' is used to talk about future plans or intentions. It is a simple and effective way to express what you will do in the future. Here are the main rules to remember:

Rules for Using 'Going to'

Structure: The basic structure is Subject + am/is/are + going to + base form of the verb.
Affirmative Form: I am going to eat.
Negative Form: I am not going to eat.
Question Form: Am I going to eat?

Formula Table

Form	Structure
Affirmative	Subject + am/is/are + going to + verb
Negative	Subject + am/is/are + not + going to + verb
Question	Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + verb?

Examples of 'Going to'

Here are some examples to illustrate correct and incorrect usage:

✅ I am going to study for my exam.
❌ I going to study for my exam.
✅ She is going to visit her grandmother.
❌ She going to visit her grandmother.
✅ They are going to play soccer tomorrow.
❌ They going to play soccer tomorrow.
✅ We are not going to go to the party.
❌ We not going to go to the party.
✅ Are you going to watch the movie?
❌ You are going to watch the movie?
✅ He is going to buy a new car.
❌ He going to buy a new car.
✅ I am going to call my friend later.
❌ I going to call my friend later.
✅ Are they going to travel this summer?
❌ They are going to travel this summer?
✅ She is not going to eat lunch.
❌ She not going to eat lunch.
✅ We are going to learn English together.
❌ We going to learn English together.

Pro Tip: Always remember to use the correct form of the verb "to be" (am, is, are) with "going to." This is a common mistake for learners!

Conclusion

Now you have a clear understanding of how to use 'going to' for future plans and intentions. Practice these rules and examples to improve your English grammar skills. Remember, the more you practice, the more confident you will become in using the future tense. Happy learning!